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Witty tragicomic teen movie “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” shows what it means to be selfless

The critics who have earlier seen the tragicomedy teen movie “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” by acclaimed and Emmy nominee Alfonso Gomez-Rejon starring extremely talented trio Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke and RJ Cyler have been vouching that the film has the potential to outperform last year’s “The Fault In Our Stars” – both of which are cancer-themed movie dealt with by young adults.

Variety’s chief international film critic Peter DeBruge notes that “Anyone who buys a ticket to a film called “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” goes in fully expecting to cry. It’s sort of a given. The surprise, then, is the laughter: the near-constant stream of wise, insightful jokes that make it so easy to cozy up to characters dealing with a tough emotional situation. The story of a high-school senior forced to befriend a classmate who has just been diagnosed with leukemia, and the sincere, nonsexual connection that forms as a result (sorry, “The Fault in Our Stars,” but there’s no nookie here), this rousing adaptation of Jesse Andrews’ novel is destined not only to connect with young audiences in a big way, but also to endure as a touchstone for its generation.”

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is directed by Gomez-Rejon, who began his film career as a personal assistant to Martin Scorsese, Nora Ephron, Robert De Niro and Alejandro González Iñárritu and went on to direct the second unit for Ben Affleck’s Oscar Best Picture “Argo.” Gomez-Rejon brings his years of impressive experience and unique flair making “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” making it the Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Based on the thought-provoking and moving young adult novel by Jesse Andrews, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is the uniquely funny, moving story of Greg (Thomas Mann), a high school senior who is trying to blend in anonymously, avoiding deeper relationships as a survival strategy for navigating the social minefield that is teenage life. He even describes his constant companion Earl (RJ Cyler), with whom he makes short film parodies of classic movies, as more of a 'co-worker’ than a best friend. But when Greg’s mom (Connie Britton) insists he spend time with Rachel (Olivia Cooke) – a girl in his class who has just been diagnosed with cancer - he slowly discovers how worthwhile the true bonds of friendship can be.

Gomez-Rejon brings an impressive pedigree to the film who had directed episodes of hit series “Glee” and “American Horror Story” and the horror re-boot THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN, says he wanted his next project to be something more personal. He found that in ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL.

“The script was funny in an unusual and unpredictable way, as well as refreshingly honest,” says Gomez-Rejon. “At first, it reminded me of the wonderful John Hughes movies I grew up on, but then it very gently took an unexpected turn and became so much more than just a comedy. I had just lost my father and I felt that if I could make this film, it would be a way for me to express my own personal losses and transform them through humor.”

“Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” opens September 16 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox.